Counterbalancing lid and hinge support



R. A. STONE July 1, 1969 COUNTERBALANCING LID AND HINGE SUPPORT sheet ofz Filed Feb. 25, 1968 W l 1 n l 1 l l u l l l Juy 1969 R. A. STONE 3,452,388

v I COUNTERBALANCING LID AND HINGE SUPPORT* Filed Feb. 23, 1968 sheet 2 of 2 U.S. Cl. 16-190 6 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A counterbalancing lid and hinge support utilized on a cabinet having a relatively heavy hinged lid, such as a dishwasher, with friction braking means to retard movement of the lid due to gravity. The lid and hinge support includes a housing or casing secured to the cabinet and a lid wing pivoted to the housing and secured to the lid of the cabinet. An elongated bolt is connected to the lid Wing through a pivotal bolt bracket and extends downward into the housing and through a rigid plate therein to terminate in a threaded lower end. A compression spring encompasses the bolt between a washer retained at the threaded lower end of the rod a friction bushing mounted adjacent and below the rigid plate. The bushing has a conical projection extending into and conformably received in a tapered passage in a retainer abutting the plate, so that increased spring pressure causes the bushing to be compressed and provide greater frictional or snubbing Contact with the bolt and thus impede movement thereof.

The present invention relates to a counterbalancing lid and hinge support for a cabinet having a hinged lid, and more particularly to a counterbalancing lid and hinge support having a variable frictional impedance upon movement of the lid by the force of gravity.

Among the objects of the present invention is the provision of a counterbalancing lid and hinge support for a relatively heavy lid hinged to a cabinet which will effectively counterbalance the weight of the lid by the use of a compression spring throughout all positions in the path of travel of the lid between open and closed positions. The lid and hinge support provides a simple and compact structure having a lid support wing pivotally mounted on a housing secured to the exterior rear surface of the cabinet or enclosure so that the lid may be pivoted between a fully closed horizontal position and a fully open vertical position providing free access to the contents of the enclosure.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a counterbalancing lid and hinge support for the lid of a cabinet or enclosure having a lid support wing pivoted on a housing with a compression spring in said housing and connected between the housing and the lid wing. An elongated bolt is mounted on a bolt bracket in the lid support and extends downward through the housing to adjacent the bottom thereof. The compression spring encompasses the bolt with one end of the spring abutting a washer adjacent a stationary plate adjacent the upper end of the housing and the opposite end of the spring abutting a washer retained on the bolt by a nut on the threaded end of the bolt and bearing against the washer. The force exerted by the spring can be adjusted for lids of different weight by adjustment of the nut on the bolt.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a counterbalancing lid and hinge support having a Variable force frictional motion impeding means for the elongated bolt depending on the position of the lid and the resultant force exerted by the compression spring,

3,452,388 Patented July l, 1969 ICC the frictional motion impeding means includes a retainer member positioned below the stationary plate in the housing and having a central conical opening through which the elongated bolt extends. A generally conical expanding and compressible bushing having a radial flange at one end is positioned below the retainer member with the bushing received within the conical opening in the retainer. The bushing has a central passage receiving the elongted bolt in frictional engagement therewith. As the force exerted by the compression spring is increased due to compression of the spring by closing movement of the lid, the telescoping conical surfaces cause a compression of the bushing about the bolt which, in turn, creates greater frictional drag or snubbing action on the bolt.

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, eiciency, economy and ease of assembly and operation, and such further objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear and are inherently possessed thereby.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective View of a cabinet and lid showing the rear wall thereof with the counterbalancing lid and hinge supports of the present invention mounted thereon.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical cross sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1, with a portion of the support housing broken away.

FIG. 3 is a partial front elevational view of the counterbalancing lid and hinge support.

FIG. 4 is a partial rear elevational view of the counterbalancing lid and hinge support.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross sectional view of the upper end of the counterbalancing lid and hinge support taken on the line 5 5 of FIG. 4 showing the lid in partially open position.

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross sectional view similar to FIG. 5, but with the lid in fully open position.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary exploded perspective View of the pivotal components of the counterbalancing lid and hinge support.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged exploded perspective view ofthe expansible and compressible bushing assembly.

Referring more particularly to the disclosure in the drawings wherein is shown an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 discloses a cabinet or enclosure 10 having a top opening lid 11, such as would be utilized for a dishwasher or similar appliance. In the case of a dishwasher, the enclosure 10 would be the tub and be provided at its upper edge with a sealing gasket 12. The lid 11 has a lid top wall 13 and a spaced interior liner 14 forming an insulating space 15 therebetween. Mounted on the rear wall 16 of the enclosure or tub 10 is a pair of mounting brackets 17; one at each edge thereof adjacent the upper edge of the tub. A reinforcing bar 18 extends across and parallel to the rear wall 16 between the brackets 17.

Mounted on each bracket 17 by suitable fastening means, such as screws 19, is a counterbalancing lid and hinge support 21 having a generally channel-shaped housing 22 and an elongated generally at lid wing 23. The lid wing extends into the space 15 between the lid top 13 and the lid liner 14 and has a pair of parallel upwardly extending flanges 24 forming a channel shape for approximately three-quarters of its length; the flanges abutting the interior surface of the lid top wall 13. The lid wing 23 is secured to the lid liner 14 by screws 25 adjacent the pivotal mounting of the lid wing, and the free end 26 of the lid wing is downwardly offset, as at 27, and is secured thereat to the lid liner by screws 28 or other suitable means. A bracket 29 for a rack in the dishwasher may also be secured to the inner surface of the lid liner by the screws 28.

At the rear pivotally mounted end 31 of the lid wing 23, the wing is downwardly offset at 32, and the flanges are enlarged to form projections 33, having upwardly extending and inwardly offset ears 34 (see FIG. 7). The projections 33 are each provided with a pivot opening 35 adjacent the offset 32 and a second opening 36l in each upper ear 34. The openings 35 are aligned to receive a pivot pin 37 for pivotally mounting the lid wing 23 on the housing 22 and to provide a pivotal axis for the lid 11.

A support bracket 38 is aixed or spot welded within the channel portion of the lid wing 23 (FIGS, 2 and 7) and has a curled end 39 which encompasses the pivot pin 37. Also, a support strap 41 overlies the support bracket 38 and is provided with an offset end 42 beyond the support bracket 38 which is riveted to the lid Wing 23 at 43, and the opposite end 44 is curled upwardly partially around a second pin or rivet 45 received in the aligned openings 36 in the ears 34.

The housing 22 is generally channel-shaped having side walls 46, 46` and a connecting rear Wall 47, one side wall being secured to the mounting bracket 17 by attaching means such as screws 19. A tab 48 (FIG. 1) is bent to extend outwardly perpendicular to the rear wall 16 of the tub and the tab 48 is secured to the adjacent wall 46 of the housing 22 by a screw 49. At the upper end of each side wall 46, 46 is an upwardly extending ear 51 adjacent the rear wall 16 and sealing gasket 12; each ear having an opening 52 to be aligned with the openings 35 in the lid wing 23 and receive the pivot pin 37. The pivot pin 37 has an enlarged head at one end and the opposite end is upset to retain the support 21 assembled.

The housing 22 is provided with a transverse plate S3 therein staked to the housing adjacent the upper end and the ears 51 thereof and extending horizontally across the housing with an enlarged central opening 54 therein (FIG. 6). A generally U-shaped bolt bracket 55 (FIG. 7) has a base portion 56 with a laterally extending raised ridge 57 there-across and a square central opening 58 extending through the ridge; a pair of upwardly extending ears 59 on the base portion 56 each have an opening 61 to be aligned with the openings 36 in the lid wing 23 to receive the second rivet or pin 45 headed at one with the opposite end upset to retain the lid wing and bolt bracket together.

An elongated bolt 62 mounted in the housing has an enlarged domed head 63, .a short square shank portion 64 adjacent the head 63, and an elongated depending cylindrical shank 65 terminating in a lower threaded end 66 adjacent the lower end of the housing 22. The bolt extends downward through the openings 58 in the bolt bracket 55 and the opening 54 in the plate 53 to extend into the housing 22 and terminate adjacent the lower open end 67 of the housing (FIG. 2). Also within the housing 22 is a metal retainer 68 abutting the plate 53 and having a central annular projection 69 conformably received in the enlarged opening 54 of plate A53. The retainer 68 and projection 69 has a central conical bore or tapered passage 71 therethrough. Below the retainer 68 is an expansion bushing 72 (FIGS. 5, 6 and 8) having a a radial ange 73 spaced from the retainer 63 and a conical sleeve 74 extending upward from the ange and received in the corresponding conical passage or opening 71 in the retainer 68. The sleeve 74 has a central bore or passage 75 slidably and frictionally engaging the cylindrical shank 65 of the bolt 62. The bushing 72 has a diametrically extending slot 76 cutting through the ange 73 at one side of the sleeve, through the sleeve 74 and partially through the iiange on the opposite side of the sleeve, the slot aiding in the expansion or contraction of the bushing. The bushing 72 is formed of a suitable plastic material, such as Delrin, to provide frictional engagement with the encompassed bolt 62 lbut permit the latter to have controlled sliding movement.

Below and abutting the bushing 72 is a washer 77, and encompassing the shank 65 of the bolt 62 is a compression 4 spring 78 having one end abutting the washer 77 and the opposite end abutting a second washer 79 vertically adjustable on the bolt 62 by a nut 81 therebelow threadingly engaging the threaded end 66 of the bolt. The washer 77 has a central depression and the washer 79 has a central embossment locating the opposite ends of the spring 78.

In operation, the greater the compressive force of the spring 78, the greater will be the compression force exerted on the bushing 72 by the coaction between the conical sleeve 74 and the conical passage 71 in the retainer 68; which results in a greater frictional force exerted by the bushing 72 upon the shank 65 of the bolt 62. The frictional force on the bolt 62, along with the force of the spring 78 counterbalances the force of gravity acting on the lid 11 tending to close the lid on the cabinet 10.

When the lid 11 is in its horizontal closed position as seen in FIG, 2, the compressive force of the spring 78 and the frictional force exerted by the bushing are at their greatest level. At the lid 11 is opened, the lid wing 23 pivots about the pivot pin or rivet 37 and the pin or rivet 45 moves in an arc around the pivot pin 37 as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6. Movement of the rivet 45 in the ears 34 in a counter clockwise direction lowers the bolt bracket relative to the plate 53; thus lowering the bolt 62 to decrease the amount of spring compression exerted between the Washers 77 and 78. This is turn lowers the frictional contact of the bushing 72 as that bushing expands. In closing the lid, the change in forces are reversed and greater spring compression causes the bushing sleeve 74 to be forced into the tapered passage 71 of the retainer 68 to cause contraction of the bushing 72 and increase the rictional forces exerted in the bolt thereby.

Adjustment of the nut 81 on the threaded end 66 of the bolt 62 will adjust the initial compression exerted on the spring 78. Utilizing this construction, the lid 11 is easily manually moved to any position between fully open and fully closed with the frictional forces exerted by the bushing 72 on the bolt 62 tending to hold the lid in any position of adjustment, Latching means may be provided for retaining the lid in closed position.

Having thus disclosed my invention, I claim:

1. A counterbalancing lid and hinge support for a lid pivoted to the frame of an enclosure such as a cabinet, comprising a housing mounted on the frame and a lid wing secured to a lid, a pivot pin joining said housing and lid wing for pivotal movement thereabout, a generally U-shaped bolt bracket pivotally mounted on said lid wing and having a central opening therethrough, an elongated bolt extending through the opening in the bolt bracket and depending into the housing, said housing being of channel shape having side walls and a rear wall with said side walls each terminating in an upwardly extending ear supporting said pivot pin, a plate extending across and secured in said housing adjacent the upper end thereof and having a central opening therethrough, said bolt depending through the opening in said plate and terminating adjacent the lower end of the housing in a threaded end, a compression spring encompassing said bolt between said plate and said threaded end, an upper and a lower retaining washer positioned at the ends of said spring, a nut threadedly engaging the threaded end of said bolt and abutting said lower washer, a retainer abutting the underside of said plate with a central annular projection conformably received in said central opening of the plate, said annular projection having a tapered central bore therethrough, and a conical bushing having a radial flange located between said retainer and said upper washer, said bushing having a central passage therethrough receiving said bolt and a tapered outer wall conformably received in the tapered passage of the retainer, s aid bushing cooperating with said retainer and adapted to frictionally engage the bolt.

2. A counterbalancing lid and hinge support as set 5 forth in claim 1, in which said `bolt has an enlarged head received in and abutting the U-shaped bolt bracket.

3. A counterbalancing lid and hinge support as set forth in claim 2, in which said Vbolt 'bracket includes a base connecting a pair of upwardly extending ears, said base having a ridge extending thereacross between said ears, and said opening is centrally located to interrupt the ridge, said enlarged bolt head cooperating with said ridge to allow limited pivotal movement of said bolt relative to said bolt bracket as said lid is moved between open and closed positions.

4. A counterbalancing lid and hinge support as set forth in claim 1, in which said lid wing is a generally flat channel-shaped member having a pair of aligned openings receiving said pivot pin, and a pair of upwardly and rearwardly extending ears having aligned openings to receive a second pin, said bolt bracket having ears, each bracket ear having an opening adapted to be aligned with the openings in the ears of the lid wing to receive said second pm.

5. A counterbalancing lid and hinge support as set forth 6 in claim 1, in which said housing has upper and lower open ends.

6. A counterbalancng lid and hinge support as set forth in claim 1, in which said bushing has a slot extending diametrically through the bushing, through the radial ange at one side of the bushing and partially through the radial flange at the opposite side of the bushing.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,815,528 12/1957 Murray 16-82 XR 3,183,550 5/1965 Phelps 16-190 FOREIGN PATENTS 784,406 5/ 1968 Canada.

BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner. J. L. KOHNEN, Assistant Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 16-82 

